2025 Term 1 Week 9 4 Apr 2025

Dear Lindisfarne Parents and Guardians,

As we approach the end of another rewarding week, I am pleased to share with you some of the highlights of our week at Lindisfarne.

This week, we were honoured to welcome the Hon. Sarah Mitchell MLC, Deputy Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning (NSW), along with Kimberly Hone, Federal National Candidate for Richmond, to our Mahers Lane Campus. Their visit included a comprehensive tour of our facilities, classroom visits, and engaging discussions with our staff and students. It was a great opportunity to discuss the progress of the school, share some of our hopes and aspirations for the future and request consideration of further support for Schools in Regional Australia.

In continuation of fostering important relationships for our School, we have extended invitations to the NSW Minister for Education and Deputy Premier, the Hon Prue Car, and the current Federal Member for Richmond, Hon. Justine Elliot, to visit our school in the near future.

Monday started on a high note with the Year 5 and Year 6 Word Millionaire's Morning Tea, a delightful event that was made more special by the presence of Hon. Sarah Mitchell, who took time to congratulate the students on their achievement.

We are excited to announce a new partnership with PLC Pathways, enhancing the support we offer to our incoming International students. Through this partnership, students will have access to a comprehensive residential English Language and High School Preparation Program designed to build not only language proficiency but also a strong understanding of Australian schooling and culture.

The PLC Pathways program, based at PLC Armidale, is a purpose-built initiative that provides students with intensive English language learning alongside academic and cultural preparation. The program also focuses on helping students integrate into Australian school environments and develop the confidence and skills needed to thrive.

It was a pleasure to welcome John Da Cruz (Director of Development) and an international delegation from PLC Pathways to Lindisfarne this week to discuss the program and our partnership and showcase our school. Recently, Jeremy Godden (Head of Junior School/Head of Lindisfarne International) and Jenaya Mulley (Head of Enrolments and International Development) visited PLC Armidale to see the program in action and meet some of the students currently taking part.

This collaboration marks an exciting step forward in the development of our international program. It reaffirms our commitment to offering a warm, supportive, and well-structured pathway for students joining us from overseas.

During the week, we were also pleased to host Dr Susan Allan, Executive Officer-Schools from the Anglican Diocese of Grafton. Dr Allan toured our campus and met with our executive team, discussing the progress and various achievements of our School.

Our Stage 4 and 5 Parent-Teacher evenings on Tuesday and Wednesday were extremely well attended. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all parents who attended the Parent-Teacher evenings and to our dedicated teaching team and support staff who made these important discussions possible.

On Thursday, I attended the Bond University Business Leaders Forum, from Vision to Venture: the role of Investment in Entrepreneurship. The Forum featured an engaging panel discussion with Business Leaders Peta Ellis, Cathie Reid AM, Ryan Holsheimer and Bianca Park. The event provided deep insights into the role of investment in entrepreneurship, particularly relevant to our rapidly developing economic and technology landscape on the Gold Coast and northern New South Wales.

Yesterday, four of our Year 11 students had the opportunity to attend a Public Speaking Competition and Youth Forum in Grafton, led by The Hon. Ben Franklin MLC, President of the NSW Legislative Council. It was also terrific to see Geoff Provest MP, Member for Tweed, in attendance and supporting students from our local area.

A special congratulations to Ben Reeve, who won the Public Speaking Competition at the event against 17 other students and will now represent our region in the Grand Final at NSW Parliament in Sydney this December!

Today, we welcomed Nicholas Hanrahan from Cranbrook School in Sydney. Nicholas is currently the International Baccalaureate Coordinator at Cranbrook and is completing the AISNSW Flagship leadership program. Part of the program is to shadow an experienced school principal, and I was delighted to spend time with Nicholas, sharing the experience I have gained over the last 17 years as an independent school principal. Nicholas’s visit further exemplifies our commitment to fostering professional educational exchanges that not only enrich our school's learning environment but also contribute to the development of educational leadership.

Looking ahead to the weekend, our U14, U16, and First XV teams are gearing up for the Ballymore Cup in Brisbane, and we wish them the best of luck in the competition. Closer to home, our netball teams will commence the Saturday competition after the rain delay last week. We wish our teams every success in the coming season.

Wishing everyone a restful and enjoyable weekend (and hopefully some sunshine) as we approach the final week of the first term.

Kind regards,

Stuart Marquardt
Principal

Dear Students, Staff, Parents and Guardians,

In three articles earlier this term, I wrote on three of the symbols on our School Crest - the open book (the Bible), the Torch and the Lion, respectively. In this article, I would like to draw your attention to one of the final symbols upon the Lindisfarne Crest - the River/s.

The reason why we have two rivers joining into one on our School Crest is because Saint Cuthbert established a Monastery at Lindisfarne in Northumbria (modern day northern England) where the Tees and the Tweed rivers meet. And since the Parish of Saint Cuthbert’s actually birthed our School in 1981, which is also located on the Tweed, the transferable connection to our local context is obvious.

But rivers are also of deep significance in the Judeo/Christian tradition, from the first book of the Bible to the last.

In the primeval history of the early chapters of Genesis - the first book of the Bible - we learn that out of Eden, where the tree of life grew, flowed a river (Genesis 2:10). Eden was actually a temple/garden paradise, where God placed Adam (a generic name, meaning ‘man’) and also Eve (a generic name for ‘woman’, meaning ‘one who bears life’) as priests to guard and protect sacred space and to extend that sacred space out into the chaos of the untamed world.

But instead of extending the goodness and order of God out across the rest of the planet, they let the chaotic creature in (which is what a serpent was in Ancient Near Eastern understanding), and the rest is history.

So in the very last chapter of the Bible, we return to the themes of the river and the tree with a description of the restoration of Eden, where we hear these words;

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb (i.e., Jesus) down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations - Revelation 22:1-2.

This connection between God’s Temple/Throne and the river/waters of life is repeated throughout Scripture. Psalm 36:7-9 says

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!

People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

They feast on the abundance of your house;

you give them drink from your river of delights.

For with you is the fountain of life;

in your light we see light.

In this context, ‘the shadow of God’s wings’ is a direct reference to the wings of the 2 cherubim that met over the middle of the Ark of The Covenant, which signified God’s very presence (the Shekinah Glory) in the most inner sanctum of the Temple.

Psalm 46:4-5 adds these words:

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

the holy place where the Most High dwells.

God is within her, she will not fall;

God will help her at break of day.

In the fourth Gospel John connects the concepts of temple and living waters with the very person of Jesus - John 2:18-22 says:

The Jewish authorities then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

Then in John 4:10 & 14 Jesus says to the Samaritan woman at the well:

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water. Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Later, when Jesus was in the Temple precinct during one of the great Jewish religious festivals - The Feast of Tabernacles - he exclaimed:

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this, he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

And if we return to the last chapter of the Bible - Revelation 22:17 - also written by John, this invitation is extended to us all;

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come, and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.

The reason I’ve drawn all of this together is to demonstrate that the concept of the river in our School Crest speaks of the waters of life that flow from the very person of God made manifest in Jesus Christ.

The reason it is called ‘living water’ is simply that it is water that gives life. A pertinent geographical example will drive home this point: In Northern Israel, where the Sea of Galilee is located, which it is a lake rather than a sea, by its very nature it is a living body of water because it receives water from Mount Hermon in the north and empties its water into the river Jordan, which in turn flows into the Dead Sea - the lowest geographical location on Earth. The reason Galilee is a living body of water is because it receives and gives whilst the Dead Sea is ‘dead’ because it receives but does not give.

My encouragement to all of us here at Lindisfarne is to be like Galilee - not only receiving but also giving of ourselves, like Galilee, instead of like the Dead Sea, which only takes!

Blessings,

Reverend Lyndon Mulholland
Chaplain

After an unfortunate but necessary postponement due to Cyclone Alfred, the P&F trivia night was held last Saturday night. It was wonderful to see so many people come along for the always-popular event to test their trivia knowledge and get involved in the spirit of the night. Team themes included Hogwarts, Super Mario, and the Lindisfarm! 

There was lots of food, fun, smiles and laughter, and even a splash of kombucha! The student leader team can hold their heads high with an outstanding performance in the overall rankings. A big thank you to Simon McKinley and the team for their help in the organising and running of the evening. A massive thankyou to the supporters of the evening, donating generous prizes for the top three placing teams and the raffle, our supporters are listed below. All money raised goes towards projects that benefit the students. So, brush up on your trivia. We are looking forward to seeing an even bigger and better event next year. 

Trivia Night Supporters and Sponsors

• Steve and Kate Cornell
• Nispa Krongkaew and Hugh Won
• The Pavillions Hotel Terranora - Andrew Cox
• Tango Gelato Kingscliff and Palm Beach - Wendy Boquest and Gary Barlow
• www.wildlynice.com.au - Lucie Kasna and Chris George
• JB Hi Fi

Penny Brady
President

The Lindisfarne Parents and Friends Association (P&F) actively supports the School and offers a wonderful opportunity to meet other parents and be involved in the life of the School.

The objectives of the P&F are consistent with the School’s vision and values. All parents and guardians of students enrolled at the School are members of the P&F. Anyone is welcome to attend general meetings which take place four times per year.

The P&F organises numerous social events, family days and fundraisers in support of the School. Any help is always greatly appreciated and you will be welcomed into a dynamic group of enthusiastic parents and friends.

Each year the P&F holds its Annual General Meeting and invites members to consider playing an active role on the Committee. The P&F Annual General Meeting (AGM) is to be held on Tuesday, 6 May 2025 at 6.30pm in the Mahers Lane Library, Terranora. As members of the P&F all Lindisfarne families are welcome to attend and are invited to nominate for an Executive or General Committee position for the following year. Nominations are sought for President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Public Officer and General Committee (5). A brief outline of each is below.

Nominations must be received in writing by Tuesday, 29 April 2025. Please download and complete this form and email to via e-mail to pandf@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au

President: shall preside over P&F Association meetings and is responsible for working towards P&F Association's objectives. The President ensures that the P&F Association takes part in decision-making processes in the school and fosters fair participation of all members in its undertakings. The President will support volunteers and ensure consistent adherence to the constitution.

Vice President: Assist the president in their duties. The Vice President may be called upon to Chair meetings in the absence of the President.

Secretary: Attend all meetings and keep a record of all business conducted. Monitor incoming and outgoing correspondence.

Treasurer: Report on the Association's financial status at all meetings, detailing all monies received and paid since the last meeting. The Treasurer must also provide an audited copy of the previous financial year's accounts at the AGM.

Public Officer: Ensure consistent adherence to the constitution. Notify Fair Trading of any change and is responsible for collecting or take receipt of any official documentation.

General Committee: to assist and support the P&F Association to reach its objectives in line with the school's needs and focus area's at the time.

Nicole Larsen
Public Officer

Register Your Interest HERE

Click HERE To Register

Hello. I am Roy, a Year 7 student. This term, I chose horse riding as my Recreational sport.

It has been such a fun sport. At Kyllarie Retreat I’ve learnt all about how to ride, groom, care, saddle and catch a horse. I always enjoy horse riding and have learnt so much.

The instructors that teach us are very patient and are really nice. I now know how to properly care for and ride a horse. I will definitely choose horse riding again and I can recommend that other students should try it as well.

This Term, I went horse riding as a Rec Sport. As a new student at Lindisfarne, I was a little nervous about doing a sport at school. I did not have to worry. I was so excited to get on a horse and ride around Kyllarie Retreat. I really enjoyed the experience. The instructors are kind, and they put both our and the horses' needs first while teaching us new skills.

The horses are so well trained and all have their own characters and that is what really makes it fun!! If it's raining you can still ride or help in the shelter learning hands on horsemanship. I have learnt so much and really enjoy being taught by the instructors there.

Tahlia Rosborough-George

Last week, we were pleased to welcome the Hon Sarah Mitchell MLC, Deputy Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning (NSW), and Ms Kimberley Hone, Federal Liberal National candidate for Richmond, to the Mahers Lane Campus.

During their visit, our guests toured the campus, visited classrooms, and engaged in rich conversations with staff and students. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the strength and diversity of our learning programs, highlight key initiatives in student wellbeing and engagement, and discuss both the opportunities and challenges currently facing schools in our region.

These visits are an important part of strengthening connections between schools and policymakers, and we thank the Hon Sarah Mitchell and Ms Hone for taking the time to hear directly from our school community. We will be sending invitations to the Minister for Education and Deputy Premier, Prue Car and sitting Federal Member the Hon. Justine Elliot to also visit our school in months ahead.

We look forward to continuing these conversations and welcoming representatives from all sides of politics to our community.

Kane Bradford
Head - Professional Practice, Innovation and Partnerships

This year our Lindisfarne students will participate in local ANZAC Day Services on Friday, 25 April. On this day we remember all Australians past and present who have served in war. The spirit of ANZAC, with its qualities of courage, mateship and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance for our sense of national identity.

To help us acknowledge students attending the services, it would be helpful if you could please complete the form below to register your child’s intended participation. Although staff will be in attendance at each service, students will remain under the supervision of their parents. Where students will be marching, please ensure you bring a hat and water bottle.

Student Attendance Form

All students attending any of the services are requested to be in full formal uniform, including ties and blazers. As a sign of respect, please ensure your shoes are polished and clean and your uniform is neatly presented. If any students wish to wear medals from a family member or relative, they are to be worn on the right-hand side of their chest/jacket. The details for each event are outlined below:

COOLANGATTA/TWEED HEADS
Dawn Service at 5:50am

• Service Venue: Chris Cunningham Park, Tweed Heads.

• Students in attendance, please meet Mrs Myers and Mrs Phillips in Chris Cunningham Park to gather for this Service, where a wreath will be laid.

• Year 12 student, Tyler Sim will be speaking about Hugo Vivien Hope Throssel at this Service.

Main Service at 10:30am
We would like to see a large contingent of Lindisfarne students marching at this Service.

• Service Venue: Chris Cunningham Park, Tweed Heads.

• Students in attendance, please meet Mr Godden, Mrs Cox, Ms Jeffries and Mrs Mundy on the corner of Boundary Street and Coral Street to assemble for the march.

KINGSCLIFF
Dawn Service at 6:00am

• Venue: Kingscliff Beach, Cenotaph.

• Students in attendance, please meet Mr Robins and Mrs West.

Main Service at 10:30am

We would like to see a large contingent of Lindisfarne students marching at this Service.

• Venue: Kingscliff Beach, Cenotaph.

• Students in attendance, please meet Mrs Camer and Mrs Eldridge.

BYRON BAY
Dawn Service: 5:30am

• Venue: The Cenotaph, corner of Tennyson and Marvell streets, Byron Bay.

• Students in attendance, please meet Mr Coulter.

Main Service: 10:30am

• Venue: The Cenotaph, corner of Tennyson and Marvell streets, Byron Bay.

MURWILLUMBAH
Dawn Service: 5:15am

• Venue: The Cenotaph, near the Civic Centre, Murwillumbah.

• Students in attendance, please meet Mrs Ward and Mr Davis.

Main Service: 10:10am

• Venue: The Cenotaph, near the Civic Centre, Murwillumbah.

CUDGEN
Dawn Service: 4:28am

• Venue: The War Memorial, Cudgen School.

MULLUMBIMBY
Dawn Service: 4:30am

• Venue: The Cenotaph, Corner of Dalley St, Mullumbimy.

Main Service: 10:50am

• Venue: The Cenotaph, Corner of Dalley St, Mullumbimy.

POTTSVILLE
Main Service: 7:30am

• Venue: The Cenotaph, Tweed Coast Rd, ANZAC Park, Pottsville.

• Students in attendance, please meet Mrs McDowell in Berkleys Lane near the pharmacy to assemble for the march.

BRUNSWICK HEADS
Dawn Service: 4:50am

• Venue: The Cenotaph, Fawcett Street, Memorial Park, Brunswick Heads.

• Students in attendance, please meet Mr Clucas and Ms Diaz.

TUMBULGUM
Dawn Service: 4:28am

• Venue: Bawden Street, Tumbulgum.

• Students in attendance, please meet Mr Bedford and Mrs Bedford.

Main Service: 10:30am

• Venue: Bawden Street, Tumbulgum.

We look forward to the ANZAC Day services and hope to see a good representation of students on the day.

A few more families are needed!

We are reaching out once again as we prepare to welcome students and staff from Pallikoodam School in Kottayam, Kerala, India, from 30 April to 9 May as part of our ongoing international cultural exchange.

A sincere thank you to those families who have already volunteered to host; your generosity is deeply appreciated. At this stage, we’re still looking for a couple more families to help by hosting either a student or a staff member.

This is a unique opportunity to connect with another culture, build lifelong friendships, and play a key role in this enriching experience. Preference for our return visit to India in September/October will be given to families who host during this exchange.

If you're able to help, please email me at jgodden@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au with a short introduction to your family. All adult household members will need a current Working With Children Check (WWCC), which is free for volunteers.

I’ll be in touch with all host families next week with further details.

Thank you again for your support!

Jeremy Godden
Head of Junior School

At the Junior School, we are excited to introduce the latest addition to our Round Square Heroes of Discovery – Teamwork Tama!

Teamwork Tama reminds us that great things happen when we work together with a shared purpose. Tama inspires us to collaborate, recognise the unique strengths each person brings, and take responsibility for our role in helping the team succeed. With Tama as our guide, we learn that true teamwork means supporting one another so everyone can shine.

In classrooms across the Junior School, teachers have been sharing Tama’s Hero Story, sparking meaningful discussions about how our interactions with others impact the world we live in.

On Friday 11th April, we will be celebrating the end of term with a Round Square Heroes of Discovery Dress-Up Day!

Students are invited to come dressed as their favourite Hero of Discovery or in the colours that represent their chosen Hero of Discovery.

While we’d love to see the campus filled with colour and creativity as students bring their favourite Hero of Discovery to life, we completely understand and support families who choose not to participate. For those not dressing up, we ask that they wear their school uniform on the day.

Tip: Our sports shirts are a great match for many of the Heroes of Discovery colours!

Costume Props: You may notice that many of the Heroes of Discovery carry unique props that help bring their character traits to life. We kindly ask that no skateboards or electronic devices be brought to school as part of the student costumes. Creative alternatives, such as drawings, cardboard cutouts or printed pictures of these items, are encouraged instead.

Angela Mundy
Assistant Head of Junior Schoo

Millionaire’s Morning Tea With a Difference

The Millionaires’ Morning Tea has become a lovely tradition to end each term, where the students who have reached significant reading milestones through the Accelerated Reader program are invited to celebrate their achievements together. It’s a moment of recognition, not just for how many words they’ve read, but for the time, effort, and enjoyment they’ve invested in reading throughout the term.

Our first Morning Tea of the Year was made even more special with a visit from The Hon. Sarah Mitchell, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council and Shadow Minister for Education and Early Learning. While in the Tweed area, Ms Mitchell joined us for the morning and spent time chatting with our Stage 3 students about their favourite books and authors. The students spoke passionately about the stories they’ve loved and the characters who’ve captured their imagination. The morning tea was beautifully prepared by our Year 11 Hospitality students, who did a wonderful job presenting and serving the food; a fantastic opportunity for them to practise their skills in a real-world setting.

Reading continues to be such an important part of learning and growth, and it’s always heartening to see our students develop a genuine love for it. We’re proud of all our Millionaire readers and look forward to celebrating many more in the terms ahead.

Congratulations to all of our Stage 3 Millionaires!

Year 12 Buddy Program Begins

As we know, school is about more than just lessons, it’s also about belonging. One of the ways we foster this sense of connection is through initiatives that bring different year levels together in meaningful ways. This week, we proudly launched our Year 12 Buddy Program, designed to help our younger students feel welcomed, supported, and seen as they settle into life on the Mahers Lane campus.

The Buddy Program pairs Year 12 students with our Year 5 cohort, giving our newest Middle School students the chance to build relationships with senior student mentors. Each week, small groups of Year 12s join Year 5 homerooms; on Tuesdays for Ms Gilmour, Ms Price and Ms Drew, and Thursdays for Ms Diver, Ms Ryan and Ms Pearson. The sessions are student-led, with the Year 12s planning and facilitating fun, inclusive activities to encourage conversation, connection, and confidence. Teachers are there to support if needed, but the ownership remains with the Year 12s, empowering them to lead, guide, and connect.

The Buddy Program was introduced last year by one of the student leaders, Mia Harris and is now led by one of the School Vice Captains, Amity Leach, who has taken the reins with great enthusiasm and care. Teachers involved have been invited to share feedback to ensure the program continues to evolve and improve.

The goals of the program are threefold:

• To build relationships across year levels, helping Year 5 students feel comfortable and valued.

• To provide support, with Year 12 students acting as role models and friendly guides during a key transition year.

• To strengthen community, fostering a culture of inclusivity, kindness and connection across our School.

It has been a joy to see the program in action this week, with genuine smiles, engaging conversations, and a shared sense of pride between students. We look forward to sharing more in the weeks to come.

House Cross Country Event

• Date: Thursday, 10 April

• Venue: Top Oval, Mahers Lane

• Time: Years 7-12 from 10:20am & Years 3-6 from 12:45pm

As we head into the final stretch of the term, our upcoming House Cross Country is more than just a run, it’s a great opportunity for our Middle School students to challenge themselves, be part of something bigger than themselves, and contribute to a shared outcome.

For some students, running might come naturally. For others, it’s not their favourite thing. But that’s where the real learning comes in. Events like Cross Country help young people develop persistence, the kind of “have a go” mindset that serves them well not just in school, but in life.

The middle years are such an important time for students to try new things, push through a bit of discomfort, and discover what they’re capable of. Research supports what we see every day, that small moments of challenge, when approached with support and encouragement, help build confidence and resilience. Even if it’s not their strength, simply finishing the course and knowing they stuck with it is something to be proud of.

There’s also something really valuable in contributing to the team effort. When students show up and give it a go, they’re earning House Points and helping their peers. It sends a quiet but powerful message, “I’m part of this.” That sense of belonging and shared purpose is a big part of what we try to build in Middle School.

If your child is feeling unsure about the day, I’d really encourage you to talk with them about what they can do, rather than focusing on performance. A jog, a walk, a steady effort, it all counts. Sometimes the most important step is just showing up.

Thanks, as always, for partnering with us, especially in these moments that build character, not just fitness.

Stage 5 and 6 Parent-Teacher Interviews Thank you

Thank you to all our Stage 4 and 5 families who attended the recent Parent-Teacher Interviews. These conversations play such an important role in supporting your child’s progress, and we truly value the partnership between home and school. We appreciate your time, your questions, and your ongoing support as we work together to help every student thrive.

Cathy Cox
Head of Middle School

Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of accompanying four of our outstanding Year 11 students to Grafton for a Public Speaking Competition and Youth Forum, led by The Hon. Ben Franklin MLC, President of the NSW Legislative Council. It was also wonderful to see Geoff Provest MP, Member for Tweed, in attendance, supporting young people from our local area.

Throughout the day, students engaged in thoughtful and passionate discussions about their vision for the future, what effective representation looks like, and the vital role of youth voices in shaping our communities. I was immensely proud to see our students step up – articulating their ideas with confidence and learning from experienced political and community leaders.

A special congratulations goes to Ben Reeve, who won the Public Speaking Competition and will now represent our region at the Grand Final at NSW Parliament in Sydney this December. A remarkable achievement.

I am proud to be part of a school that champions public speaking and debating – giving students the skills, confidence, and platform to thrive well beyond the classroom.

Back on campus, we also welcomed families to the Stage 4 and 5 Parent-Teacher Interviews. These evenings are a valuable opportunity to connect, reflect, and plan together to ensure our students are supported in all areas of their development. I would like to thank both our teaching staff and families for the positive, purposeful conversations that took place throughout the evening.

While this week has offered many moments to celebrate, I also want to address a matter of concern. We have recently received reports of some of our older students pushing ahead to board buses, with some younger students being jostled in the process. Additionally, there have been complaints from local residents regarding irresponsible parking by senior students and instances of disrespectful behaviour.

These incidents do not reflect the values we work so hard to instil. As leaders in our school community, our senior students are expected to model respect, care, and responsibility - both on and off campus. Small acts of consideration, like letting others board first, parking with awareness, and treating neighbours with courtesy, all contribute to the culture we want to uphold.

Please consider how we can better look out for one another and ensure that our school continues to be a place where compassion, wisdom and respect are lived, not just spoken about.

Kate Cornell
Head of Senior School

The Lindisfarne Mock Trial team competed against Canberra Grammar School in our opening round last week. The team used the case notes we were provided to investigate issues around the use of technology and launch a defence for our imagined client. Our solicitor Alexandria Larsen prepared the trial notes, doing a large amount of legal research and thinking carefully about what the other team might try to argue. Our Barristers Kimiyo Tango and Sam Bell opened and closed our case with expert points, and cross examined the other team's witnesses with questions that helped expose the issues with their cases. Our two witnesses Tahlia D’Amici and Ben Reeve spoke well and assisted us in building our case. They had to maintain their composure while being cross-examined, and our barristers were quick to object when faced with leading questions. We were able to prove our imagined client innocent, showing the excellent work of our team of future law professionals.

We will have additional rounds next term, and I am looking forward to seeing the team continue to develop their skills with new and engaging cases with a variety of legal issues.

Miss Catherine Johnson Dyson
Humanities Teacher

Southern Cross University Year 10 Taster Day

On Monday, March 31, a group of Year 10 students had the opportunity to experience university life first hand at Southern Cross University’s Gold Coast Taster Day. The event provided an exciting introduction to a range of study areas, allowing students to participate in hands-on workshops, explore the campus, and gain valuable insights into potential future pathways.

From health and science to business and the arts, students engaged with industry-experienced academics and explored cutting-edge facilities. The experience offered a glimpse into the diverse opportunities available at SCU, helping students make informed decisions about their senior studies and beyond.

ADF Representatives Visit to Present Career Pathways

Year 12 students recently had the opportunity to hear from Australian Defence Force (ADF) representatives who visited the school to deliver an engaging and informative presentation. They explored the diverse career opportunities within the ADF, including roles in aviation, engineering, healthcare, and trades. The session also covered the recruitment process, lifestyle, and benefits of an ADF career, as well as opportunities for further education and training. Students interested in learning more can visit ADF Careers.

Students also gained insight into the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), which allows them to earn a degree while undergoing military training and leadership development. ADFA provides a unique pathway for those looking to combine university studies with a career in the ADF. More details can be found at ADFA – ADF Careers.

Current Scholarship Opportunities

Vogue Australia x Torrens University Scholarship Opportunity

Are you passionate about fashion, design, or business in the creative industries? The Vogue Australia x Torrens University Scholarship is an incredible opportunity for students looking to pursue a career in these fields. This prestigious scholarship provides financial support and mentorship, helping recipients gain invaluable industry experience while studying at Torrens University.

Open to domestic students, the scholarship is designed to support emerging talent in fashion marketing, business, and design-related courses. If you dream of making your mark in the fashion world, this could be your chance!

Find out more and apply here: Vogue Scholarship

Tradeswomen Australia $25 for 25 Scholarship Project

Are you a woman looking to kick-start a career in the trades? The Tradeswomen Australia $25 for 25 Scholarship Project is here to support you!

This initiative provides $2,500 scholarships to 25 women pursuing trade qualifications, helping to cover training costs, tools, or essential expenses. The program aims to increase female participation in trades and create more opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated industries.

If you're passionate about building, mechanics, electrical work, or any other trade, this scholarship could be your stepping stone to success!

Find out more and apply here: Tradeswomen Australia $25 for 25 Scholarship Project.

University Spotlight: University of New England (UNE)

Nestled in the picturesque city of Armidale, New South Wales, the University of New England (UNE) was established in the 1930s by the University of Sydney. UNE holds the distinction of being the oldest university in Australia located outside a capital city. Over its storied history, UNE has cultivated a reputation for delivering quality education and pioneering research, with over 80,000 alumni making significant contributions globally.

UNE offers a diverse array of courses and degrees designed to equip students for a rapidly evolving world. UNE provides pathways tailored to meet various educational aspirations.

Early Entry Program: Secure Your Place at UNE

UNE’s Early Entry Program allows Year 12 students to secure a university place before final exams, reducing stress and uncertainty. Applications are based on a school's recommendation rather than ATAR scores, making it a great option for students looking for a direct pathway to university.

Key features of the Early Entry Program include:

• No ATAR Requirement: Admission is based on your school's assessment of your abilities and potential, not solely on your ATAR score.
  
  

• Direct Application: Apply directly to UNE without the need for UAC or QTAC applications, streamlining the admission process.
  
  

To learn more, visit UNE Early Entry.

Hayley McDonald
Director of Careers and Vocational Education & Training (VET)

Our Year 12 PDHPE students recently had the exciting opportunity to visit the Bond University High-Performance Training Centre, where they participated in a specialised training session led by high-performance coach Rick Martin.

During the session, students engaged in challenging exercise drills designed to test their physical capabilities while gaining firsthand insight into how the body responds to different types of training and recovery processes. This hands-on experience helped them deepen their understanding of key PDHPE concepts, including energy systems, fatigue, recovery strategies, and the physiological adaptations to training.

By applying their classroom learning in a real-world setting, students not only strengthened their theoretical knowledge but also gained valuable experience in high-performance sports environments. This excursion was an invaluable opportunity to see science in action and enhance their overall learning.

Rhett McDonald
Acting Director of PDHPE

The end of the term is only a week away now - the speed at which the weeks disappear on us really makes my head spin. Large Football games taking place this week for our girls. The U15s won by 16 or so goals Thursday in the Bill Turner Trophy match (full details next week), and our Open girls have a critical match versus Bishop Druitt in the CIS knockout on Friday (today).

It was great to see lots of our squads playing rugby in the APS competition last Friday. Thanks to Dr Coyne for his advocacy in this space, and for getting this to happen. Games for our rugby teams were quite hard to come by in the Northern Rivers for Term 2, so this definitely fills a void with some good opposition.

Cross Country is next week. The weather looks reasonably good, albeit still relatively early days - HERE.

Cross Country

Please find the Run Sheet and General Information - HERE.

PARKING

Not many Cross Country tracks allow for consistent spectator vantage points than our course. If you are planning to come and watch - that is fantastic, please pay careful attention to the parking at the bottom left of the logistics map. Of special note is that parents CANNOT TURN RIGHT OFF MAHERS LANE into the grassed parking lot area - they will need to travel down Mahers Lane to turn, Stopping at that point on Mahers Lane is very dangerous, not only for those in vehicles, but also for our parking attendants. Please note, that the mapped parking is subject to weather conditions - IF the parking is closed, parents will need to park on neighbouring streets. Please be mindful to respect our neighbours' driveways. On street parking on Mahers Lane - specifically the unbroken yellow lines are strictly no parking or stopping.

WEATHER

The Sports Department will proceed with the carnival in moderately undesirable conditions, for eg. intermittent light rain activity. If the forecast is constant heavy rain, we will postpone the carnival until very early Term 2. Please monitor the weather in this regard, and perhaps pack a rain jacket and a change of clothes for after your event if there is a chance of rain.

TOP OVAL (Out of Bounds)

Other than our Cross Country runners who have been marshalled and are competing in their race, teaching officials and St Johns First Aid - we ask there to be no parents or students on the top oval please. This oval space will be a busy hub of continuing/finishing/starting runners that our officials need to keep a tab on. We want to keep things as simple as possible for our runners, and this is the best way to assist them.

BUILDING WORKS

Please stay out of the clearly fenced and signed building works. The Senior Centre is almost done, we thank you for your patience while this beautiful resource is completed.

CANTEEN

Year 7 and 8 canteen RECESS orders will be brought to the spectator hill for collection.

All Years 5 to 12 LUNCH orders will be accessible as per usual.

STUDENT SIGN OUTS

Years 7 to 12 - we are not expecting or accommodating for ANY student sign outs up on the Cross Country spectator area for our Secondary Students. All Year 7 to 12 students are expected to be back in their classrooms for Periods 5 and 6. Students are encouraged to pack a change of clothes to facilitate this please.

Years 2 to 6 - have their races towards the very end of the school day, and there will be scope for sign outs directly with their Home Room teachers.

Sunshine Ave Campus information further to this email will come via standalone communications (buses, sign outs etc) and Home Room messaging. Any questions, please ask Mr Nathan Croft.

CIS Swimming Primary

Thanks to Andrew Eke (Lennox and Benji’s father) who pulled together a brilliant overview of the swimming action:

Last week we had 14 Lindisfarne students represent NCIS at the CIS Swimming Championships at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre. Coming up against what is arguably the strongest representative swimming pathway in the country, our swimmers did Lindisfarne proud against NSW's elite competition. Many of our student's swims on the day would have made it through to other representative pathways to PSSA and you should all be very proud of your achievements to compete at this stage.

Girls

• Addison Cecil - 3 top 15 results, including 11th in 50m Fly (11yrs)

• Arli Freeman - 29th 50m freestyle (9yrs)

• Florence Gafney - 3 top 25 placings ( 11yrs)

• Coco Howland - 19th 50m freestyle (8yrs)

• Zali Smith - 22nd 50m freestyle (8yrs)

• Oliana Stotz - 20th 50m freestyle (10yrs)

• Taylen Upton - 6th, 7th, 8th and 10th place across the four strokes (10yrs). Qualified for 200m Individual Medley selection at PSSA

• Allira Upton - 7th Breaststroke and 4 top 10 finishes for senior girls (12-13yrs). Qualified for 200m Individual Medley selection at PSSA

• Isabel Wescher - 22nd 50m fly ( 11yrs)

• Junior Girls and Senior Girls Relays unfortunately got disqualified for change overs. Great experience for next year's event.

Boys

• Senior Boys Relay ( Benji Eke, Ollie Bowes, Naish Morgan and Ned Simmonds) 5th place, just missing out on gaining selection to PSSA

• Flynn Flaherty: 4 x Silver in the 11-13 Multi-class events across 50m freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and 100m freestyle. Great work Flynn!

• Benji Eke - 14th 50m backstroke ( 12-13yrs)

• Ned Simmonds - 5th 50m breaststroke, 8th 50 freestyle and fly, and 10th 100m freestyle. Qualified for 200 Individual Medley selection at PSSA

• Naish Morgan - 20th from freestyle and 21st 50m fly.

Good luck to those swimmers who have been selected to represent CIS at the PSSA Swimming Championships in two weeks.

Some deeper dives into performances from some of our swimmers:

Ned Simmonds- Year 6

Ned set a personal best in the 50m breaststroke, securing a 5th place finish. He also competed in the 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly, finishing 8th in both events. In addition to individual events, Ned was part of the Boys 12/13 freestyle relay team, which achieved a commendable 5th place. Following these impressive performances, Ned will compete in the 200 Individual Medley at the upcoming NSWPSSA event.

Isabel Wescher- Year 5

In her individual event, Isabel swam the 50m butterfly significantly faster, by 5 seconds than her previous time at the Lindisfarne school carnival in February, showcasing her improvement and training dedication.

Flynn Flaherty - Year 5

Flynn delivered a brilliant meet, showcasing his talent as a Multi Class swimmer. He achieved a personal best in the 50m freestyle and secured second place in the 50m freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke events. Additionally, Flynn earned another second place finish in the 100m freestyle. Lots of shiny medals for Flynn, congratulations!

Oliana Stotz - Year 4

Young Oliana Stotz enjoyed the big stage of Sydney, smashing out a massive personal best in her Freestyle, to the tune of 2 seconds. You cannot do more than that Oliana, well done.

2025 Australian Beach Volleyball Schools Cup

For the first time ever, Lindisfarne was proud to enter not one, but two Senior teams into the 2025 Australian Beach Volleyball Schools Cup, held on the iconic Coolangatta Beach from March 28th to 30th. The event saw schools from all corners of Australia and overseas come together for three days of intense competition, battling for the ultimate Beach Volleyball Schools Cup title.

Throughout the tournament, our boy's and girls' teams gave it their all, showcasing incredible skill, teamwork, and determination in the face of some of the most challenging weather conditions.

Playing in teams of four, Lindisfarne’s players were required to maintain focus and push through gruelling schedules that included long days of games and work duties. Despite the challenging conditions, the experience proved to be a fantastic opportunity for our players to hone their skills, learn valuable lessons in teamwork, and represent Lindisfarne with pride.

As the tournament wrapped up, our athletes returned home with not only memories of an unforgettable experience but also a newfound respect for the sport. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for Lindisfarne’s beach volleyball teams.

Ayla Drury Impresses on the National Rowing Stage

Ayla Drury (Year 10) recently competed at the Australian National Rowing Championships in the Under 17 Single, Double, and Quad Scull events, showcasing her talent on one of the country’s biggest stages.

As one of the youngest competitors in her age group, Ayla held her own against a field of 50 of Australia’s top young athletes. She placed 12th overall in the single scull, a fantastic result. In the double, Ayla and her partner made the final and finished 5th, a brilliant achievement. Unfortunately, in the quad, a lost oar during the semi-final prevented the crew from advancing to the final, despite a promising performance.

This national-level experience has been an important milestone in Ayla’s rowing journey, and she’s already focused on building toward next season with even greater goals in sight.

Off the back of her Nationals campaign, Ayla has also been selected to row in the Queensland Pathways Team, which will compete at the Interstate Regatta in Penrith from April 11–14.

Ayla’s progress is not only a personal success but also an exciting indicator of what’s possible for the Lindisfarne rowing program, which is continuing to grow in both participation and performance. Rowing is a sport that many athletes don’t discover until they’re 14 or older — and it’s never too late to give it a go.

For those interested in trying rowing, please contact Tara Townsend (tara.townsend@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au) to find out how to get involved.

Spotlight on Buzz Mecham

Congratulations to Buzz (Year 9) and the Club Team Surfers Paradise for their outstanding performance at the Senior League Championships on the Gold Coast this past weekend. The team emerged undefeated, showcasing their incredible skills and teamwork.

Following this success, Buzz will represent the Gold Coast at the Queensland State Titles, scheduled from April 10th to 13th. In addition to this, Buzz has been invited once again to join the Brisbane Bandits All Star program, starting in April. This prestigious program will further hone his skills and provide invaluable experience. Looking ahead, Buzz is set for an exciting adventure in July, where he'll spend a month in Miami to play more baseball and continue to elevate his game.

We wish Buzz all the best in his upcoming endeavours and know he will make Surfers Paradise proud!

Spotlight on Ivy Mison

Ivy (Year 8) was part of the winning NSW Pathways team taking out the Interstate Championships at North Kirra. That's a wrap for Ivy’s massive Surf Life Saving season. Congratulations Ivy, enjoy some rest now for a month or so!

Damien Clucas
Head of Sport and Activities

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RECENT GAMES

MIAMI SHS GIRLS 7s

Our U16 girls had a fantastic day at the Miami 7’s playing four tough games against Emmanuel and Miami. The team played some awesome rugby, scoring some excellent tries, both individually and team. We also had some new players join our programme who really were quite exceptional.

Even though we lost all games by close margins, this didn’t take away from the fun and enjoyment all the girls had. Even playing in the pouring rain was a highlight as well.

The girls are already very excited about their next tournament in Armidale next term.

MIAMI SHS PRIMARY 7s

The Miami Sevens was a fantastic day of rugby, with our teams showcasing skill, determination, and resilience in wet and challenging conditions. Across the day, we had three teams competing, each giving their all in every match.

Two of our teams progressed through to the finals, with our boys giving it their all throughout the competition. With limited ‘sevens’ rugby training, our boys displayed fantastic game knowledge and skill with all boys playing fantastic rugby across the day tackling tough opposition and adapting to the difficult weather conditions.

One of our teams went above and beyond, playing outstanding rugby to secure a well-deserved victory in the grand final winning 25-0 against a strong team in Emmanuel College. Their hard work, discipline, and attacking flair were on full display, and they should be incredibly proud of their achievement.

A huge congratulations to all students who participated and an even bigger congratulations to our tournament winners Archie Kinnaird, Harley Horin, Casper Whitaker, Benji Eke, Channing Melville, George Taylor, David Dickens, Ollie Condon, Max Dunsden, Jack Preston and Kelley Bockman.

APS RUGBY RD2

U16

In a tough and gritty contest played under relentless rain, Kings Christian College emerged victorious with a well-earned 17-0 win over the Spartions (Somerset & Lindisfarne Combination). The challenging conditions made handling difficult, with both teams struggling to maintain fluid play, but Kings adapted better to the wet weather, using their forward pack effectively to gain territory and control possession.

The first half saw Kings Christian College apply sustained pressure, leading to an early try after a well-executed forward drive near the Spartions’ line. Despite a determined defensive effort from the Spartions, Kings capitalized on handling errors and penalties to extend their lead with another try before halftime.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with the Spartions showing resilience in defence but unable to break through Kings' well-organized defensive line. A final try sealed the victory for Kings, securing a hard-fought 17-0 result.

Standout Performers

Despite the challenging conditions, several Spartions players put in impressive performances:

Best Forwards: Tucker Groves & Luke Jones – Both worked tirelessly in the tough conditions, leading the pack with strong carries and defensive efforts.

Best Backs: Archie Loemker & Frazier Robertson – Loemker, playing in the backs instead of his usual forward role, adapted well and made key contributions, while Robertson showed great skill and determination in attack and defence.

Though the result didn’t go their way, the Spartions showed strong commitment and defensive grit, particularly in the second half, and will take valuable lessons from this challenging encounter.

KEY DATES

Please see the upcoming key dates for our rugby program below. You can find the full list of key dates HERE.

OTHER ITEMS

Lindisfarne Rugby Game Footage

We will endeavour to record as many matches as possible for the remainder of the year, with preference given to U18 boys and girls, and add to the below list:

• Lindisfarne 1st XV v Kings

• Lindisfarne U16 v Kings

• Lindisfarne 1st XV v All Saints

• Lindisfarne U16 v All Saints

• Lindisfarne 1st XV v Somerset

• Lindisfarne U16 v Somerset

Salt Bar Sponsorship

We are extremely proud to have the Salt Bar as a sponsor of the 2024 Lindisfarne Rugby Program.

As part of this sponsorship, Salt Bar has generously provided all members of the Lindisfarne rugby community (e.g., parents, supporters, friends) with a 10% discount on food and drinks.

You can use this discount anytime you are at the Salt Bar to access this discount:

1. Download The Pass app via the App Store or Google Play

2. Go to More > Promo Code and enter the code LINDISFARNE

3. Make sure to use The Pass app when ordering food and drink at the Salt Bar

Insert Flyer

Physio Place Sponsorship

The Lindisfarne Rugby Program is very fortunate to have the Physio Place from Tweed Heads as a sponsor in 2025. Physio Place is one of the leading physiotherapy practices on the Gold Coast and is headed up by one of our Lindisfarne alumni, Dr Carly Jennar. Dr Jennar has an extensive background in contact sports and currently works with Tweed Seagulls Rugby League Cup squad, Brisbane Broncos NRLW team, QLD Women’s State of Origin team and has been to two Rugby League World Cups with both the Australian and Papua New Guinea Women’s National teams. You can find out more about the team of staff at Physio Place HERE.

As part of this sponsorship, Physio Place will provide Lindisfarne rugby players and families with discounted physiotherapy consultations ($30 reduction in charges) at Physio Place in Tweed Heads (next to Rebel Sport). They will also assist with:

• Physiotherapy support and first aid during home games

• Strapping at a suitable time before home and away games for players at school

• Triage for any injured players at the school the day after match days or tournaments;

• Physiotherapy support for major tournaments (e.g., Ballymore Cup and QLD All Schools) at tournament locations.

If you need physiotherapy or have any injuries please contact Physio Place on (07) 55239994 or you can also book online at their website HERE.

Monday After School (Y7-12) and Wednesday Before School (1st XV Wider Squad) Training

In 2025, our main training sessions outside of school time are on Monday after school (1530-1645) for all Y7-12 players and Wednesday before school until the end of P1 (0700-0940) for our 1st XV wider squad. Although we have had great numbers to our first training sessions, rugby union is a team sport and we still need as many of our players to be in attendance week in and week out to grow the Lindisfarne rugby program. If there is any way we can be of assistance to help facilitate this, please let us know.

Also, please note we will NOT be sending reminders for these training sessions (all players and families should assume our Monday afternoon and Wednesday morning training sessions will ALWAYS BE ON), however, we will let you all know with as much time as possible if we need to cancel a session due to weather or other factors.

School Uniform and Training Attire

Students should be in proper training attire (NOT school sports uniform) with mouthguard, boots and any other equipment they play with for every training session. This requirement also includes integrated school sport on Thursday i.e., students should wear our rugby training top or similar and not the school sport polo at this time. Alongside this, students should have a towel and spare school uniform to change into in case there is wet weather.

Outside of rugby training times, students should be in the correct uniform, which includes wearing the school sport polo on Thursday in P1-2 and P5-6 and in PE lessons and not rugby training tops.

Stack Team APP

The Stack Team app will be our Rugby Union program’s main form of communication for all our squads.

As a reminder, both parents and Boy’s / Girl’s 7s students who have parental permission for smartphones will need to download the app and join the Lindisfarne Rugby Program in the app.

To download the Stack team app, use the following links:

● iOS: https://www.teamapp.com/ios-ap...

● Android: https://www.teamapp.com/androi...

Once downloaded, please search for the 'Lindisfarne Rugby Program' and request to join.

More Information

If you have any questions about the above, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Coyne (jcoyne@lindiisfarne.nsw.edu.au).

Joseph Coyne
Director of High Performance Athlete & Sports Development

Round 1 continued this week with a thought provoking debate by our Open B debaters. The team argued the negative side of the topic:

Online learning is as effective as face to face learning.

Ami, Tahlia and Caelan spoke with passion as they outlined a compelling case. They were well supported by James as the timekeeper. Their arguments covered the many crucial elements of face to face learning such as teacher support and social development, as well as the detrimental impacts of extended screen time and isolation. While team put in a great effort for their first debate of the season, the opposition unfortunately had them beaten.

The team received some excellent feedback from the adjudicator and I’m sure that they will be back next round ready to seize the next win!

Emily Brewer
Acting Director of English

Homework Club will conclude in Week 9 of Term 1. We look forward to seeing students in Week 2 of Term 2

Jacqueline O'Sullivan
Director of Learning Enrichment - Middle School

Are you interested in working at Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School or know someone in our community looking for their next perfect role?

The position title links will direct you to our Careers Portal for details regarding our latest opportunities and how to apply.

Science Laboratory Assistant

We are seeking a Laboratory Assistant to join our Science Faculty team. The working hours are Monday-Friday 7.50am- 3.50pm during term time.

General Hand

This is a casual position initially with an opportunity to move to permanency for the right person. s seeking expressions of interest from experienced grounds and facilities workers to join our Facilities team.

Enquiries can be emailed to employment@lindisfarne.nsw.edu.au.

Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School is a Child Safe organisation. The School actively promotes the protection, safety and wellbeing of all students, and requires all staff to be suitable and committed to upholding the Child Safe Standards. All staff employed by Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School are expected to undertake Child Protection training and hold a current NSW Working With Children Check clearance. Please see Working with Children Check (WWCC) for more information.

Angela Harris
Recruitment and Onboarding Officer

Dive into all the action with highlights from the 2025 Swimming Carnival, get a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on in Book Club, and don’t miss an exclusive sneak peek of a brand-new music video from our very own Germinate Records. Featuring “Me and You” by the talented Josh Geoghegan, this episode has something for everyone!

Ryan Murphy
Head of House - St Andrew